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Valley Metro, regional paratransit providers do away with transfers

PEORIA, Ariz. — Valley riders taking Dial-a-Ride to get to other cities will see faster service come July 1 when Valley Metro and five regional paratransit systems do away with transfers, reported the Peoria Independent.

“If someone lives in Peoria and has a doctor’s appointment or work or want to go somewhere in Phoenix, in order to use Dial-a-Ride, they have to make a transfer between rider systems,” said Ann Glaser, spokeswoman for Valley Metro, the regional transit system servicing Maricopa County. “In July, the transfer is eliminated, so where ever the beginning trip starts, the travel is seamless without switching vehicles to the final destination.”

Stuart Kent, Peoria acting public works and utility director, said for residents a trip that now take two hours to get into Phoenix will drop to about a half hour, according to the Peoria Independent. The improved service would cost Peoria an additional $40,000. Fares will increase to $4 each way from $1, he added.